The Scavenger Hunt!

When I woke up that morning, it was a regular Friday, as far as I was concerned. Derek had gone to work, and I slept a little longer, because I didn't work on Fridays. I awoke to the ringing of the telephone, and it was my best friend, Cailey, telling me to look at the top of the stairs (we lived in a basement apartment). I did so, and found that there was a huge bouquet of the most gorgeous flowers there for me, with an envelope attached to it, which read "Clue #1".

By this time I was quite curious as to what this meant, so I opened the envelope, and found a note inside from Derek saying that I was going to have a very busy day, and that I should go to the bagel shop down the street to get some breakfast before I set upon my journey. Clue #2 was at the bagel shop, along with a pre-paid breakfast (but I was so intrigued and nervous as to what this all meant that I could hardly eat!). Clue #2 told me to go to my car, where Clue #3 (get gas, because you'll need it!) and Clue #4 (a tape with great songs to listen to, which also told me to go to my friend's house for Clue #5).

Well, you get the idea as to what he was up to: a scavenger hunt! He sent me all around Ottawa, picking up a clue and special romantic or wedding-related gifts at every stop ~ first out to my friend's house where I got Clue #5 and a picnic basket. Then to my parent's house (about 1/2 hour away!), where I got Clue #6, some ice wine and wine glasses, and some pages from an address book filled with the names of friends and relatives. Clue #7 was at his parent's house, where I picked up a few bridal magazines, and got more pages to the address book filled with their friends and relatives' names. A store in a mall where my best friend worked (even though she wasn't working that day!) was where I found Clue #8 and a pair of sunglasses I had been eyeing.

Downtown, at Derek's place of work (he wasn't there!) is where I found Clue #9, along with a gorgeous wedding photo album that I said I wanted for "whenever we got married". There were also some pages to the address book, filled with the names of some of our good friends. Finally to my best friend's house, where my final clue, and Cailey, my best friend, were waiting. Cailey told me that this day had been 4 months in the making, and that she had kept it a secret for that long!

Clue #10 (!) was a map of Gatineau park (a provincial park outside of Ottawa in Quebec), with directions to Pink Lake Trail, where it said that Derek would be waiting for me! Full of nerves and intense anticipation, I drove to Pink Lake Trail (about 1/2 hour) to find him there. This was the first time I had seen him all day (my journey started at about 10am, and it was now about 3pm), and I was so excited!

He lead me to the edge of a rounded wooden porch which looks out over a gorgeous pristine lake, pulled out he most gorgeous ring from his pocket, and asked me to marry him! I, of course, said YES!!, and we walked along the trail for a little bit and just held each other for a long time. I was crying and I have never experienced anything as special as that day.

Julie Young

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